Tire Preference - Metzler VS Avon

[Panama]

Hey Folks! I've got one I hope will generate at least 20 responses, so i'll have a good comparison.... I've read TONS of bulletins on different tires people prefer, what their tread wear is, how many times they've replaced, whether or not a car tire is a good idea, etc.
Been there, read that.

I've pretty much absolved myself to two tires, and now I come to all of you.

I bought my 98 Tourer in Sep of last year, and the tires already had some wear on them when I got  the bike, but I've since put around 3500 miles, and I have no doubt I'll be needing new in the Spring.

That said, I've shopped around, and found a set of Avon Cobras on Amazon for $282 (free ship), and the ME880's  set on Amazon for $262 (free ship)....... only a diff of $20, so I thought it was worth $20 and piece of mind to get feedback on the MOST PREFERRED between the two.

SO.........................


VOTING SESSION

Metzler ME880
OR
Avon Cobra Av71/72


Let me hear your answers. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I like the way Avon sticks ...Only ran Metzler once when I bought my Interstate it had them on it they was about half-shot when I got the bike.

[Panama]

Thanks Joe!!!

[Joe Hummer]

Hey Panama,

I ran the Avon Cobra up until the last rear tire change (went to the darkside...)  I really liked how they stuck to the road in aggressive riding, smooth and quiet on the slab, and decent wet handling.  I would typically get 10-12k out of a rear tire...twice that for a front tire. 

I ran Metzelers on my Honda Shadow 1100.  Loved them on that bike.  Stuck with Avons on the Valk because I saw more good said about them on the forum. 

Out of curiosity...where you in Panama (Central America)? 

Joe

[Oss]

Metzlers IMHO stick better in the rain just enough to notice

Avons fall into turns like they know where you want to go a pleasure after having the car tire

Better mileage with the avons over the metzler

Metzlers prone to cupping even with 42 front and 46 rear

Have friends who had avon rear tire trouble and would not get another one delamination blow outs

either Bridgestone 200 series battleaxe or car tire in the rear is the way to go for me

Paid around 145 for the rear battleaxe from HDL.  

very happy with the Avon in the front

YMMV

How much does your person charge to mount

also ride-on.com in all my tires

[BF]

I have Elite 3's on now and really like them alot.  

That said, I had Metzler's on the bike when I bought it and they were fairly new then.  The rear Metz had cord showing at about 4 1/2 thousand miles after I bought the bike with those tires on it.  The front wasn't much better.

I like my Elite 3's, but I'm pretty sure that the next set will be a set of Avon's.  

[Panama]

Thanks Joe..... Not in Panama. Actually, I got that name from a buddy of mine that rode w/ me to Key West. As much as I love Key West, Panama City is one my wife and I's favorite places to go (at least 3-4 times a year), and I made that comment a few times on the trip. I usually just go by CJ or Jack, but he happened to see a "Panama Jack 74" cap, bought it for me, and said, "Yeah, Panama, I like it." - and it stuck for a while. Figured nobody else on the board had the name in use, and it was a good way to keep myself differentiated from all the other Chris', CJ's and Jacks. 

[Panama]

Thanks Oss! Thanks BF!

[hubcapsc]

I can't come up with an objective difference, they're both good tires.

I've run seven or eight rear Avons through my bike, and maybe two Metzlers...

I reckon I subjectively favor Avons...

-Mike

[saddlesore]

I've been running Avons front and back now.  I run 200s on the back and get 18,000 on those.
The front tires run around 20,000 miles.  Sometimes the front tire seem kind of squirmy.  They had another radial tire that I like but they discontinued it.

[Westsider]

Metzlers......Been running them happy for years now,,running ct and metzler front for two summers now,, ,, just got my new metzler from dennis kirk on the front porch today,, have 12k on my  front now,, there are still feelable tread on it but the handling is gone... will post a pic when I change it ,,hopefully this wekend,,goib to be in the 70s here. I shopped till I dropped and 213.00 tax title and licence to my front door.. what gives with that price your quoting??? thanks.Paul.

sorry,,, i see, amazon,,, i would make sure they are the radials --front r17v rear r16v's

[Momz]

I ran Avon Venoms, but mileage sucked.
I tried Metzler 880s and they wore out very quickley, especially the front.
I now recommend Avon Cobras as the best all round tire for both grip and mileage.

[fudgie]

I run Metzlers since 2001. I love them. Always got the same milage. 13k on rears and 22+k on the front. I read more about bad avons then I do about Metzlers on here. Thats a good deal on the Metz. I pay $250 just for the rear for a 200 mm Metz before going with a CT.

[Panama]

Westsider - glad you mentioned that about Radials....... I was so excited about the price, it didn't even register with me. Double checked factory part numbers (because description on Amazon doesn't always indicate Radial or Tube), and sure enough, the front I had in my cart was a tube.
I'm now just under $400 for the set of ME880's
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WP5ZOE/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A3BJ4JCWI1WBOD
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GV1MYQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A3BJ4JCWI1WBOD

Thanks for that! I would have been pissed!

[John Schmidt]

If you get the Metz, get the 200 size. Gives more mileage and better handling. Has a wider contact patch.

[Westsider]

Yes sir, they do sell a non radial,,cheaper,,That being said , I think you would be happy with those two choise's.. A picture tells a thousand words and Smoking joe has lots of pictures of his bikes on the dragon,,,dragging, with the avons ...

[Hoser]

I have used them both, between the two, I think I would use the Metz.  There are better tires out there, but your'e getting a great price on them both.  Why not buy both, you will need them down the line, they are both about 10,000 mile tires.  Hoser 

[Jess from VA]

Contrary to above, I have never had cupping on any Metz (and I've run many), and do not recall seeing any cupping on any others........ unless you run them (or any tire) grossly underinflated.

John, it is my understanding that the tread depth on a (Metz) 200 is less than a 180, so I question if a 200 goes more miles than a 180 (assuming people keep them properly inflated).  I have run many Metz, but never a 200 (now run car tire rears for life), so I have no personal experience.

My two cents, the Metz is a better tire than an Avon, far less occurances of delamination, but they get fewer good miles, probably by at least a third compared to an Avon.  Both are good tires.

EDIT: But if I wasn't running a rear on the front (AMC Roadrider/Avon) I was still going to try the Cobra next for better miles. 

[Hoser]

" Westsider - glad you mentioned that about Radials....... I was so excited about the price, it didn't even register with me. Double checked factory part numbers (because description on Amazon doesn't always indicate Radial or Tube), and sure enough, the front I had in my cart was a tube.
I'm now just under $400 for the set of ME880's"



Bias tires does not necessarily mean you need a tube.  I use Bias ply Dunlops on my Valk, with very good results.   Like 20,000 miles before replacement.  Tubeless.  Hoser  

[sandy]

131K on a tourer. One set of Metzlers and Avons ever since. The current rear Cobra has 19K on it with more tread to go.

[salty1]

Hey Folks! I've got one I hope will generate at least 20 responses, so i'll have a good comparison.... I've read TONS of bulletins on different tires people prefer, what their tread wear is, how many times they've replaced, whether or not a car tire is a good idea, etc.
Been there, read that.

I've pretty much absolved myself to two tires, and now I come to all of you.

I bought my 98 Tourer in Sep of last year, and the tires already had some wear on them when I got  the bike, but I've since put around 3500 miles, and I have no doubt I'll be needing new in the Spring.

That said, I've shopped around, and found a set of Avon Cobras on Amazon for $282 (free ship), and the ME880's  set on Amazon for $262 (free ship)....... only a diff of $20, so I thought it was worth $20 and piece of mind to get feedback on the MOST PREFERRED between the two.

SO.........................


VOTING SESSION

Metzler ME880
OR
Avon Cobra Av71/72


Let me hear your answers. 

Just twenty? Well here we go again, there both good tires IMO. The pricing you found looks great for either set.  I've had Metzlers and they don't get the mileage a set of Avons can. All is dependent upon how you ride.

[Mr Whiskey]

I've run the 880 on the front only. It is prone to "cupping" IMHO so watch your pressure. It wont get as good a mileage as the Avon but, I feel it sticks better, & the way I ride that's most important!
I solved the problem by goin' "Double Darkside" (Avon AM26 Roadrider Rear Tire, bias ply with no tube, on front, & radial CT rear, 300 treadwear rating or lower).
This combo holds the road like it was welded to it! On a 2K/IS, packin' a rider, runnin' heavy, & pullin' trailer!
My .02
Peace, Whiskey.

[saddlesore]

" Westsider - glad you mentioned that about Radials....... I was so excited about the price, it didn't even register with me. Double checked factory part numbers (because description on Amazon doesn't always indicate Radial or Tube), and sure enough, the front I had in my cart was a tube.
I'm now just under $400 for the set of ME880's"

Amazon isn't the only one that doesn't indicate radial or bias ply. I'm running an Avon on the front and the description always leaves me wondering.  The last few don't seem the same as 5 years ago.

[Mallett]

On my second set of Avons... thought about going to a CT but I like to be able to let go of the haddlebars to much to do so...

[fudgie]

John, it is my understanding that the tread depth on a (Metz) 200 is less than a 180, so I question if a 200 goes more miles than a 180 (assuming people keep them properly inflated).  I have run many Metz, but never a 200 (now run car tire rears for life), so I have no personal experience.

Never heard that. I had about 3-4 200 mm on mine and the tread is quite deep.

[Jess from VA]

On my second set of Avons... thought about going to a CT but I like to be able to let go of the haddlebars to much to do so...

Just so you know, I can let go of the bars (roads permitting) and hip steer with a car tire as easy (maybe easier) than with a bike tire. 

[Mallett]

On my second set of Avons... thought about going to a CT but I like to be able to let go of the haddlebars to much to do so...

Just so you know, I can let go of the bars (roads permitting) and hip steer with a car tire as easy (maybe easier) than with a bike tire. 

Jess, If can find me a spare rim to buy...I'll mount one & give it a try...

[Dogg]

I run an 880 on the front of my fat tire valk. I think its because of the rear tire but, i have terrible wear on it. But i cant tell much because it lifts in turns under accel and just slides across the pavement, the bike pushes. But, then, its the bike. The metzler i took off LD, went about 12 k miles. I have a dunlop now on the front, potenza on the rear and i also can hip steer very well with a. Car tire...oh, the avon cobra i have on the back of fatass isnt wearing much at all. Just the front.

[cookiedough]

I'd go the avon cobra route for 20 bucks more over Metz.  More and more lately issues of avon cobra issues but the mileage and grip should be overall better with cobras.  I would guess the Dunlop Elite III's would last the longest though of all 3. 

[Tundra]

AVON/METZLER?  My choice is Avon Cobra with a 200 series on the rear.
Thinking out of the Avon/Metzler box, I agree with Oss. The Bridgestone BattleAxe 200 series rear tire paired with an Avon Cobra front tire was the best ride/handling I've experienced on a Valkyrie. It will save you some money on the purchase but you will change it twice as much.

Just an observation from some of the local guys I ride with...the younger guys who like to hit it hard and bust the corners seem to prefer the Avon.
  The older guys who ride a little bit more conservatively seem to prefer the Metzler.
  I have nothing bad to say from experience of either tire.

[SANDMAN5]

I've had both on the front but never had Avon rear (Darkside). For me,
the Metz is first choice. Sticks GREAT wet or dry. Avon is my second
choice. Doesn't stick as good but lasts a little longer. Also a little
noisier after the wear starts....if that matters to you. YMMV

[Tropic traveler]

Avons all the way on my '97 & Kim's '98. Like them very much. I'm not experiencing the poor mileage from the Avons that others have mentioned. Kim has almost 17,000 miles on the set of Avons & they still look very good. Got over 10,000 on the set from my '97 & they look nearly new. Guess it's our easy flatland riding we do around here! 
My '99 is a Cobra rear, Metz 880 front combo bike due to some strange circumstances but I'm very happy with both brands. Can't tell any difference in handling.
My Rocket 3 was Metz equipped even having the exact same front tire as the Valks but the rear was a big assed 240 Metz. Got great mileage & handling from them but the rear picked up a big nail. Replaced it with another Metz as at that time it was the only brand that made that size.
BTW, 40 psi in all of them.

Happy with either brand, slight advantage to Avons IMHO.